The "China fashion, economy and culture" forum opened at the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology on October 16, 2009. Scholars, fashion designers and heads of Chinese fashion companies gathered to share their views on the Chinese fashion industry.

The theme of the forum is "build Chinese fashion brands, innovate in China and take a lead in the world."

Fashion is boosting the Chinese textiles industry but faces many challenges, said Sun Ruizhe, vice president of the China National Textile Industry Council. China's textile factories have turned the country into the "workshop of the world," but it is time for China to choose whether to concentrate on manufacturing or to create its own styles and standards. The second challenge is to balance industrial growth and environmental protection. "We should not only care about what products we are making but also keep an eye on what materials and technologies we are using," said Sun. The third challenge for society is to support the development of companies. Schools, government and financial organizations need to work hard to provide talent, sound policies and credit.

Chinese fashion companies have grown up at a fast pace in the past 15 years. Beijing Eve Fashion is one of them. Founded in 1994, the company now has a unique set of operating and marketing principles. President Xia Hua said that they have extended their range beyond clothing to include a comprehensive product line that expresses their understanding of fashion. It includes china, furniture, magazines, and customized services. "A fashion professor once said my company looked so similar to an international fashion brand and I was flattered. I think in recent decades, Chinese companies have completed the first step of brand building, which is learning how to innovate. Now we are entering a new phase, and I believe Chinese fashion companies are about to start blooming," Xia said.